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CVs and Cover Letters Abi Sharma

CVs and Cover Letters Abi Sharma. Understand the purpose of a CV Know what to include and structure Review good and bad example Identify how the careers service can help you. The CV – True or False ?. The CV must be at least 3 pages. Employers like photographs.

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CVs and Cover Letters Abi Sharma

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  1. CVs and Cover Letters Abi Sharma

  2. Understand the purpose of a CV • Know what to include and structure • Review good and bad example • Identify how the careers service can help you

  3. The CV – True or False ? • The CV must be at least 3 pages. • Employers like photographs. • You must include your address. • CVs should contain tables and grids. • Careers Advisers proof-read CVs. • Hobbies should only be in the covering letter.

  4. What’s the purpose of a CV? • Present yourself well on paper • Be specific to the job • Give enough relevant information • Give the right impression An effective CV should win you an interview

  5. What is different about a UK style CV? • UK employers expect a CV to focus clearly on relevant skills and experience. • Employers expect a CV to be targeted to their vacancy. • Employers don’t expect a set format but expect to see certain required information.

  6. Less focus on educational qualifications and awards/honours and much more on skills • No ‘personal details’ section • No longer than two pages • You need to provide the names of two referees but not actual letters of reference

  7. What to include? • Essential • Personal details • Education history • Relevant Work / Other Work • References • Optional • Personal profile • Positions of responsibility • Volunteering • Skills • Interests / Leisure Activities

  8. Personal Details - main purpose is for contact details (phone/email) - is the email address appropriately professional? - don’t need date of birth, marital status or nationality - may wish to state right to work

  9. Personal Profile (optional) - where you are now, where you want to get to in your career, what relevant skills you have - skills ‘proven by’, ‘developed through’ etc… - no more than 3 lines - a film trailer!

  10. Education History • Most recent first • Expected grade if known • A level subjects/equivalent, grades • GCSE/equivalent • Include relevant achievements e.g. scholarships, prizes • List relevant modules • Talk about your final year project – if relevant • Demonstrate relevant skills learnt

  11. Work History • Divide into relevant and other • Clarify: role, where and when • Skills developed – give concrete examples • Avoid list of duties • Don’t have to include EVERYTHING • But DON’T underestimate value of diverse range of work experience

  12. Other Skills • Ideally round up skills that don’t fit elsewhere • Specific skills such as: IT, Languages, Lab experience, etc. • Quantify experience i.e. competency level • Keep it relevant and provide evidence

  13. Interests • Don’t include for the sake of it • Be careful what you write • Use it to make you stand out from the crowd • Can help to fill skill gaps e.g. leadership = team captain

  14. References • Most employers want at least two (academic & professional) • Get permission • Useful to have references forwarded from tutors/employers in home country • ‘References Available on Request’ is acceptable

  15. Common Grammar Errors • Use of tenses • Spelling mistakes – avoid US dictionaries! Programme not Program! • Language – no excuses! • Grammar Leaflet and books – Careers Centre • Language &b Learning Unit www.languageandlearning.qmul.ac.uk

  16. Other Common Errors • Chronology • Lack of information • Poor use of margins and formatting • Use of tables and photographs • Resume style- too brief • More than 2 pages – too long! • Use of footnotes

  17. Cover Letters 1st Paragraph (short) :Who you are/why you’re writing to them 2nd Paragraph: Why you want that particular role 3rd Paragraph: Why you are suited to the role – skills 4th Paragraph: Why you want to work for that company and why suited to them

  18. How can we help you? • CVs • Mock interviews • Employer presentations • Workshops (lunch/early eve) • Drop In sessions / long careers discussions • Courses • Vacancies www.careers.qmul.ac.uk/jobs

  19. Queen Mary Careers Service WG3 Queens Building – 020 7882 5065 Opening times: Monday-Thursday 10.30am-5pm Friday 10.30am-4pm Drop-in sessions: Monday-Thursday 10.30am-12.30pm 2.00pm-4.30pm Part of www.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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